Screen



E 941 I T. J. O'DONNELL 2,251 4.15-

SCREEN Filed March 10, 1959 ,da I',

Patented Aug. 5, 1941 UNHTED-STE`E @ATENE FMCE SCREEN Thomas J. ODonnell, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Buel E. Hutchinson, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 10, 1939, Serial No. 260,929

7 Claims.

The invention relates generally to window closures and more particularly to window screens and the like.

The invention pertains to window screens of the socalled frameless type which are fastened to the window adjacent the sill and also at the top of the window frame, the screening being tensioned across the latter. While screens of this general type have been used prior to the present invention, they have had various disadvantages. They were diicult to install and remove and did not keep the screening under suitable tension at all times. Also, many of them required a separate closure plate and the like at the bottom to vcompletely seal the window.

The present invention, therefore, has among its objects the construction of a window screen which is readily put on and taken oifl of a window in one operation and which also is drawn close to the window frame stops so as to completely seal the window.

Another important object of the invention is the construction of such a screen which when in use is constantly placed under suitable tension and will automatically adjust itself tol small variations in the vertical dimensions of various windows, the tensioning being accomplished automatically by the single operation of locking the lower edge of the screening to the window frame.

Another object of the invention is the construction `of novel clamping means which is easily operated and maintains the screening under proper tension at all times.

Another object of the invention is the construction of novel means for securing the upper edge of the screening to the window frame whereby the position of the upper screening edge may be readily adjusted for proper height and to compensate for any irregularities in window dimenslons.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described willV be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. l is an elevational view of upper and lower portions of a screen and illustrating adjacent parts of the window frame;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectionalview taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of one of the upper clamps which support the screen; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of thelower sill members which engage the clamping mechanism on the lower portion oi the screen.

The device Icomprises essentially an upper fastening rail to which is secured the upper edge of the screen. This fastening rail is secured by novel brackets to the upper stop of the window frame. The lower edge of the screening is similarly secured to another fastening rail which carries the clamping mechanism which is engageable with suitable hooks to the window frame.

To more clearly illustrate the details of the invention, only a portion of the upper and lower Irails is shown, thus allowing the important elements of the construction to be drawn substantially full size. However, in the actual screen, two upper brackets are employed to secure the upper rail to the frame and likewise, two identical clamping mechanisms for securing the lower rail to the frame, these brackets and clamping mechanisms being arranged so that there is one of each at opposite sides of the window. Consequently, only one bracket and one clamping mechanism is shown. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper edge of the screen l is secured to the upper binding rail 2, the latter being constructed of any suitable material, preferably of a noncorrosive metal. The lower edge of the rail 2 is folded back upon itself, as shown at 3, the edge of the screen being clamped between the adjacent portions thereof. The rail is then bent transversely outwardly of the screen clamping portion and again back upon itself, thereby providing a reinforcing or stiffening rib 4, the remainder of the rail being bent back into a vertical position. Also, if desired, the juncture between the portion 5 and the transverse portion forming the reinforcing rib 4 may be rprovided with a small bead 6 which extends adjacent the edge of the screening l. Extending inwardly and downwardly from the rail 2 are projections l formed from the rail 2 by cutting the latter and bending it inwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The projections l each engage a suitable bracket 8 which is secured to the window frame. Handles 9 adjacent each side of the window are secured to the rail 2, the one illustrated being secured to the rail by means of a rivet or other suitable means. In the present instance, the rail 2 is formed with an offset portion I9 of a size to receive the handle 9, so that that portion of the latter engaging the rail will be flush with the inner face of the latter. Otherwise, that portion of the handle 9 adjacent the upper window stop -would tend to space the upper rail 2 from said position by the tension of the screening and the spring I9. In other words, the handle 21 has passed beyond the dead center, thus maintaining the parts in locked position. The spring I9 is under an initial compression when the device is originally assembled and until the tensioning force on the screen, as the handle is moved into locking position, is greater than the initial compression of the spring, the spring is inoperative, the arm I8 remaining in a fixed position relative the member I5. However, when the tension on the screening exceeds the force of compression a rigid construction. If desired, the lower edge of this rail may also be provided with a stiffening ridge or bead I4. A tubular member I5 is provided having flanges I6 which are secured to the binding rail II by any suitable means such as the rivets I1. Housed in the tubular portion of the member I5 is an arm I8 which carries a spring I9 positioned between washers 2l and 22. The lower portion of the arm I8 adjacent the spring is provided with a slot 23 through which extends a pin 24, the ends of the latter being secured to the member I5. The washer 2l butts against the pin 24 and the washer 22 against shoulders 25 formed in the upper portion of the.` arm I8. Thus, it will be seen that the spring I9 urges the arm I8 upwardly, the pin 24 preventing the arm I8 from leaving the member I5 and thus' maintaining the elements in assembled relation. Pivotally connected to the upper end of the armi I8 by means of the pin 25 is a handle 21. The major portion of the handle 21 normally extends downwardly adjacent the member I5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the handle 21V is pivotally connected to the member I8 by means of the pin 26 which passes through the member I8 and ears 28 formed in the handle 21. Pivotally secured to the handle is a U-shaped member 29 which extends downwardly along the sides of the member I 5 to a point below the lower edge of the rail II. The free ends of the member 29 extend through the portions 3I of the handle 21 while the lower end of the member 29 is bent transversely outward away from the rail II as shown at 32. The projections or ears 33 extending from the member I5 engage the member 29 and maintain the lower end of the latter substantially in the position shown in Fig. 3. The lower portion 32 of the member 29 is engageable with a hook 34 which is secured to the sill by means of the screw 35.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The handle 21 is raised upwardly until the portion 32 of the member 29 may be engaged with the hook 34, after which the handle is again pushed downward to the position shown in Fig. 3. As the handle moves downward, the arm I8 will likewise be pushed downward, the spring I9 opposing this movement. When the handle has reached the position shown in Fig. 3, the point at which the upper end of the member 29 is secured to the ears 3| will pass beyond a line drawn from the point of contact of the member 29 and the hook 34 through the axis about which the arm I8 and member 21 are pivctally connected so that the former will snap into the position shown in Fig. 3 and be maintained in that of the spring, the arm I8 will be moved downward compressing the spring still further to equalize the forces. The spring I9, therefore, reduces possibilities of placing the screen under excessive tension. Also, it will be seen that for slight variations in the position of the lower rail II, the spring I9 will take up the difference so that the device will automatically adjust itself to meet these conditions.

To close the space between the lower edge of the rail II and the sill, a closure member 36 is provided. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the flanges I6 are offset outwardly at the lower portion, as shown at 31. The closure plate 36 is notched at 38 to be slidable between the offset portions 31 of the flanges I6 and the lower` rail II as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The extreme ends of the flanges I6 overlie the closure plate 36 as shown at 39, and extending outwardly from the closure plate are the projections 4I which engage the portions 39 of the anges so that the closure plate is maintained in position against the rail II and is also prevented from being pulled downwardly away from the rail. A suitable handle 42 is formed in the closure plate 36 by bending a portion thereof outwardly from and transversely to the plate, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Likewise, if desired, a portion of the plate 35 may be folded back upon itself, as shown at 43, to form a stop which will seat upon the sill, thus maintaining the closure plate 35 in proper position on the sill. If desired, the closure plate may be provided with a rib or bead 44 extending along its upper edge to stiifen and reinforce the plate. This bead, however, does not run to the extreme sides of the plate which normally would rest against the outer window stops. The plate 35 is also provided with an outwardly extending flange 45 which also tends to reinforce the plate and when used on windows of frame buildings, will normally seat upon the window sill.

The upper bracket 8 as shown in Fig. 5 is provided with a base portion 5I adapted to be positioned adjacent the lower face of the upper Window stop and is secured thereto by screws 52 passing through slots 53 in the bracket and into the upper stop. The bracket then extends downwardly from the outer edge of the base portion 5I adjacent the upper binding rail 2 as shown in Fig. 2. The downwardly extending portion 54 is provided with a slot 55, the latter being positioned at an angle to the horizontal and is of a width to admit the projection 1 on the rail 2.

It will be noted that the projection 1 extends downwardly at an angle and also laterally at an angle corresponding to the angle of the slot 55 in the bracket 8. As the bracket 8 is provided with slots 53, it may be shifted laterally toward either side of the window, as, for example, in Fig. 1, it is positioned in its farther-most position toward the center of the window and by merely loosening the screws 52, could be shifted outwardly toward the handle 9 after which the screws 52 would be tightened. Obviously, if the bracket shown in Fig. 1 were moved outwardly toward the handle 9, the projection i on the rail 2 would engage alower portion of the slot 55 so that the rail 2 would be positioned lower relative the upper stop shown in the drawing. Thus, the position of the rail 2 may be varied or adjusted within the limits of the slot 55` to compensate for slight differences in the length of the` win-dow, as well as any irregularity between opposite sides of the window. The opposite bracket 8, not shown in the drawing, is identical with the one shown in Fig. 5 with the exception that the slot 55 extends in the opposite direction, as shown in dotted lines 55'. Likewise, a correspending projection, not shown, would extend in the opposite direction to the projection 'l shown in Figs. 1 and y2 of the drawing, to correspond with the slot 55 of its respective bracket. Thus, when the brackets are positioned on the upper stop, the respective slots 55 and 55 will each be inclined downwardly toward the middle of the window frame, thereby eliminating any tendency of the binding rail 2 to shift on the brackets. Likewise, as the projections l also extend inwardly and downwardly, the binding rail will be urged into close contact with the upper stop.

The lower hook 3d is provided with a flat portion 5B which rests flush upon the sill and a transverse hook portion 51 extending from one end thereof. A slot 58 is punched into the portion 5t of a size to receive a suitable screw 35 for securing the hook to the sill. The metal removed from the slot 5B is folded back to a point below the hook portion 5l and substantially in the plane of the portion 56, as shown at 59 and provided with an upturned portion 6l adjacent the extreme end thereof. The upturned portion 6l tends to prevent the hook engaging portion 32 of the member 29 from slipping out of the hook during the initial downward movement of the handle 2l when the screen is secured to the sill, which it would otherwise have a tendency to do if the hook were not provided with this portion.

It will be noted from the above description that I have provided a window screen which is so constructed that it may be easily installed or removed from the window in one operation merely by lifting a pair of handles and which will at all times maintain the screening under tension over the window opening. Likewise, with my improved construction, the screening is automatically taken up should it have a tendency to stretch. Another important feature of the invention is the fact that the screening is not only placed under tension, but also is urged snugly against the window stops, thus efficiently sealing the window opening.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

`1. In a window closure of the kin-d described, a binding rail, a tubular housing carried by said rail at one side thereof, an arm Vslidable in said housing, a handle pivotally connected to said arm normally extending in a direction substantially parallel to said housing at the same side of said rail, a sill engaging member pivotally connected to said handle, and means for urging said arm away from the sill.

2. In a window closure of the kind described, a binding rail, a tubular-shaped housing carried by said rail, an arm slidable in said housing, said arm having a slot therein, a pin carried by said housing and passing through said slot, a compression spring seated on said pin and engageable with said arm to urge the latter away from said pin, a handle pivotally connected to said arm, a frame engaging member pivotally connected to and carried by said handle, said member being longitudinally movable crosswise of said rail.

3. In a window closure of the kind described, a binding rail, a tubular-shaped housing carried by said rail, an arm slidable in said housing with one end thereof extending outwardly from the upper end of the housing, said arm having a slot in the opposite end thereof, a pin carried by said housing and passing through said slot, a compression spring encircling sai-d arm and seated on said pin, said spring engageable with said arm to urge the latter upwardly, a handle pivotally connected at a point relatively adjacent one end thereof to the upper end of said arm, a U-shaped member pivotally connected to and carried by said handle at a point intermediate the connection of said arm and handle and the adjacent end of the latter, said member being movable longitudinally crosswise of said rail and engageable with means on the window frame to lock said rail thereto.

4. In a window closure of the kind described, a binding rail, a tubular-shaped housing carried by said rail, an arm slidable in said housing with one end thereof extending outwardly from the upper end of the housing, said arm having a slot in the opposite end thereof, a pin carried by said housing and passing through said slot, a compression spring encircling said arm and positioned between two washers, one of the latter seating on said pin and the other engaging said arm, said spring operative to urge the arm upwardly, a handle pivotally connected at a point relatively adjacent one end thereof to the upper end of said arm, an elongated U-shaped member pivotally connected to said handle at a point intermediate the connection of said arm and handle and the adjacent end of the latter, said member being longitudinally movable relative said rail, and means for guiding the free end of said y member relative to the rail, said end engageable with means on the window frame to lock said rail thereto.

5. In a window closure device, the combination of an attaching member, a handle carried by said member and pivotally related thereto and a frame engaging element pivotally connected to and carried by said handle adjacent one end thereof, the pivot points of said handle and members being positioned to bring the pivot point of said frame engaging element beyond dead center when said handle is in locking position.

6. In a window closure device, the combination of an attaching member, an arm slidably carried by said member, resilient means biasing said arm in a predetermined position, a handle pivotally connected to said arm, said handle normally positioned adjacent to said housing and extending in substantially the same direction, and a frame engageable element pivotally connected to and carried by said handle at a point spaced outwardly from said member and a line passing through the pivot point of said arm and handle when the latter is in its normal position, and the connection of said element and frame.

7. In a window closure device, the combination of an attaching member, an arm slidably carried by said member, resilient means biasing said arm in a predetermined position, a handle pivotally connected to said arm, said handle normally positioned adjacent to said housing and extending in substantially the same direction, an elongated frame engageable element pivotally connected to and carried by said handle at a point spaced outwardly from said member and a line passing through the pvot point of said arm and handle when the latter is in its normal position and the connection of said element and frame, said element extending in the same general direction as said housing and longitudinally movable relative the same and means carried by the attaching member slidably engageable with said element for 10 guiding the free end thereof.

THOMAS J. ODONNELL. 

